Last weekend’s AFL Indigenous Round was especially notable for the build up. It was promoted everywhere as an honour and recognition of the Indigenous people of this land. You really couldn’t miss it. Even in NRL-centric NSW.
It had, as its centrepiece, Nicky Winmar, the St Kilda Saint who famously lifted his shirt to the crowd to highlight he was as proud of his heritage as the crowd was that day to vilify him for it.
The picture of Nicky’s gesture is as poignant as it gets, and I still remember the incident to this day.
Not long before that, cricket crowds boldly, and seemingly just as proudly, held up racist slogans to visiting teams. It was a sign of the times, but also a time quickly drawing to a close to be replaced by a more educated, tolerant approach.
Or was it?
20 years on and one of the true gems of the AFL world still has to face being labelled an ape. By a 13-year old girl, no less.
Sport is supposed to bring people together. But if a Brownlow Medallist, dual premiership icon, and genuine superstar to fans and the Indigenous communities with whom he works cannot be admired and respected, then it is indeed a stark reminder that we, as a society, need to work harder.
The fact that the 13-year old is a Collingwood supporter is irrelevant. To make a sweeping statement about a club’s fan-base because of this incident or any other encompasses the same type of intolerance that Adam and Nicky faced, and countless others face daily when the cameras aren’t on.
And while the name Adam was called resonated immediately within his soul, this was a little different to the same epithet being used by opposition players toward him over the years.
This has to be seen on the context of the Indigenous round in which it occurred, and I’m sure the most heartbreaking and shattering part about the incident (as Adam later described it) was what it represented.
Had we not moved on at all in the space of 20 years? Are young children still being indoctrinated by parents, guardians and, dare I say it, role models, to believe that racial intolerance is ok?
Sweeping aside the abhorrent and reprehensible comments from conservative ‘talkback newspaper editorials’ that insinuated the entire incident was fabricated by the media as if they had concocted and puppeteered the entire thing just so they could ‘bully’ a 13-year old, we now have to listen to Eddie Maguire advancing the Adam Goodes name to promote a King Kong musical.
Now, I don’t know if he is a racist or not, or just plain insensitive. Maybe it’s simply a gaffe reserved for Collingwood presidents. The president at the time of the Winmar incident said “As long as they conduct themselves like white people, well, off the field, everyone will admire and respect them.”
As a white man, I’m sure he, like his predecessor, sees it all as a misunderstanding and devoid of malice. But to a minority group, the attitude is an oppressive one, and a constant reminder that we are not all treated equally.
At the very least, it is a measure of how an attitude can be embedded beneath the skin from a young age.
The most disturbing elements of this whole affair are, firstly, that it would seem very little progress has been made in the way Indigenous (and other) Australians are regarded since the Nicky Winmar incident.
Secondly, that it appears to permeate our culture, from the youngsters in the suburbs who should have been taught better by now, right through the social heirarchy to the ubermenschen of our society, like our multimillionaires, who definitely should know better.
The shining light remains Adam Goodes himself, who has shown grace and class in extending the olive branch to his young tormenter, explaining why the remarks were so hurtful and, ironically, pushing the reconciliation process forward when it should really be coming from others.
What a beautiful example to set.
Bernie
Guest
I am partly indigenous so I guess you comment to me is just as bad as the 13 year old, but you are probably old enough to know better. However, I accept your comment is just sarcasm, & not racism. Do you honestly believe the 13 year old had any intent to racially offend? I seriously doubt it. Perhaps you feel sarcasm that hurts a person is not as bad.
Bernie
Guest
You confuse insults with racism.
Bernie
Guest
Oh yeh. Poor Adam is quite the underdog. He is a top footballer in a top team, earning what most Australians would define as a dream come true. Amazing how he got there if as you say, his race is still vilified. Seems to me, someone is making sure equal rights prevail, otherwise how did he get there?. Bullying and aggressively attacking an innocent 13 year old is just as inappropriate as her stupid, (but probably not meant to be racist) comment. Time to move on guys.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Never thought I'd agree with you Titus, but, I do.
fishes
Guest
The problem we have in Aussie-land is we are taught that if you say 'but I'm not racist' afterwards you can say whatever you want. The most depressing part for me is that people are still discussing whether or not racial vilification is actually racist, because it stops the conversation developing about the fact it is not good for society as a whole.
Ralph Nadeer
Roar Rookie
Political correctness. No worries Bernie you ape. maybe they should get you to promote the King Kong movie you dumb gorilla.
Ralph Nadeer
Roar Rookie
Eddie Maguire comments tell you what sort of idiot he is. "Western Sydney is the land of the falafel" "When do we get to bone Jessica Rowe?" "Those olympic ice skaters should come of of the closet wearing gear like that." "He looks a bit Brokeback" The problem is that Goodes doesn't play for Collingwood otherwise Eddie would never call him an Ape or a Gorilla.
pope paul v11
Guest
Ya reckon? England invade both Ireland and Australia, destroying the local inhabitants language and way of life, so yeah, completely different. I would not tell a Scot he is remarkably indistinguishable from an englishman either. The ape insult is not exclusive either. A mob called the Nazi party made a "scientific" doco featuring apes in relation to jews.
Jack
Guest
Regardless of whether or not you think its a racist term, what is taught in schools is if it can offend, then it shouldn't be said. As the saying goes, "if you haven't got anything nice to say, don't say a thing". This actually applies here.
Titus
Guest
Yep.....well, without wanting to get into the whole history of discrimination against the Irish, and as a person of Celtic heritage myself......it is less a race issue and more an issue of political or religious persecution. If you put an Englishman an Irishman and a Scotsman in a room together and were asked to pick each you would be doing well to do so successfully. They were certainly never treated as a sub-human species in the way we are considering with these comments.
Jimbo
Guest
Particuarly the Irish who untill this day are still treated like second class citizens in Scotland only having been there in the main since the 1840's having migrated during the potato famine. Read the bibliography of comedian Billy Connolly. Eddies father is Scotch of Irish descent, so i bet Eddie knows a bit.
Steve
Guest
Yes, I bet the Irish can't possibly imagine what it's like to have foreigners come in and treat them badly..................
Strummer Jones
Guest
The discussion has at times been pretty depressing these past few days. I tell myself I really shouldn't read the comments to this story/event on The Roar, The Australian or (a horrible mistake) youTube. But then , all of a sudden you find this big gold nugget of a contribution to the debate. Pure Gold Titus. Hat tip.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Foreigners did invade Ireland.
josh
Roar Rookie
Are you Rex Hunt?
matt h
Guest
Oh wow Bernie. I can't believe I just read that in 2013. Apart from racism aspect of this, do you really not understand that to deliberately insult someone is wrong? When some other kid comes up to your son and says hurtful things designed to put them down, do you just say to your son that the other person can just way whatever they want?
Steve from Blacktown
Guest
Being called an "Ape" is racist. Indigenous Australians were thought of as sub-humans and even kept in cages 200 years ago. Give Adam Goodes a break here. Now he has to deal with the "King Kong" remarks? Why can't you call a spade a spade here?
oikee
Guest
AFL seems to have problems with race and sex. They are always defending one or the other. The NRL made Ian Roberts their poster boy. We still love him, and Queensland embraced the indigenous players like no other. We dont need to shout it from the rooftops. Eddie should retire, he can join Fervola, he seems to be punching out a career around the country in appearence fees. You have to ask, who is paying.
Dr NRL
Roar Rookie
Well said Titus. It is a constant reminder that there is a pre-existing undercurrent running through our society that needs to be snapped. It will clearly take time. A little jibe here, a crack there, all serving to remind that someone is inferior, it has always been so, and always will be. We ALWAYS have to be mindful of the context in which comments are made, or actions taken. I'm not a fan of this remnant of the past, just like I'm not a fan of clobbering my children, or kicking someone when they are down. Compassion, people. We should all strive to be better.
Mitcher
Guest
"'He’s black (or so they tell us)"... Wow, no seriously, wow.